PSE-EE Secretary General Eneko Andueza said a few weeks ago that current language models will “be maintained”: “It is important for us to maintain current models and not go to the monolingual, not go to a model of immersion, but choose the model desired by all families, and through the agreement it is guaranteed that.”

In this sense, the Council of Euskalgintza is in favor of a new Education Law: “It has been shown that approving an inclusive learning model in Euskera is the most successful and almost unique path for the normalization of Euskera and for the acquisition of future students in Euskera.”

According to the members of the Council, the maintenance of the current Education Act “will close the doors” to thousands of students, causing them “obvious harm”. For example, they note that they will be “denied” the tool to increase social and professional opportunities. On the other hand, they stress that the current model is an “outdated” and “non-operational” tool: “It is deeply discriminatory and prevents reinforcing social cohesion”.

Andueza stressed the importance of choosing “the model desired by all families”. The Council, however, does not agree with: “We find it worrying, with the argument of parents’ decision-making ability, to condition the equal opportunities of future generations.” They stressed that this model system can “condemn a true monolingualism” to thousands of children.

Council proposal

The Council of Euskalgintza argues that the long-term view is “indispensable”: “It is a process that will require time for transition. It is a commitment to deepen the cohesion and equality of Basque society.” According to his colleagues, the aim is for new generations to master both official languages and at least one foreign language.

The Council has also stressed the “importance” of the decisions now to be taken: “They will radically condition the normalization process of Euskera in the coming decades.” However, they have made it clear that the teaching model in Basque “not only does Euskalduniza per se for all students”, and that “it is essential”, among other things, pedagogical innovation, the transmission of Basque culture, non-regulated education and the school environment, and to direct more resources to those who least Euskera have.

Collection of signatures

Among the main educational actors (Ikastolen Elkartea, EHIGE, HEIZE and Hik Hasi) and the trade union majority (ELA, LAB and STEILAS) have opened the collection of signatures in favor of the generalized teaching model in Basque under the motto “Education needs more Euskera”. It started on 12 September and will remain open until 29 October. Once signed, it can be done in www.euskaragehiago.eus.